(CNN) - Minnesota's Supreme Court has dismissed former Sen. Norm Coleman's challenge to the state's November election results and declared Democratic challenger Al Franken the winner.
The unanimous opinion ruled that Franken "received the highest number of votes legally cast" and is entitled "to receive the certificate of election as United States senator from the state of Minnesota."
The former "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer had declared victory in the disputed race after a recount ended in January, but Coleman - a Republican who had been seeking a second six-year term - went to court to challenge those results.
Coleman still could attempt to take the challenge to federal courts, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, told CNN on Sunday that he would sign Franken's election certificate if the Supreme Court ordered it.
Updated: 2:25 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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The roles have been reversed. Al Franken is now a politician and Norm Coleman is a Comedian.
wh00 h00!!!
Today is a GREAT day!
This man will quickly be seen to be one of the most intelligent and ethical elected officials we've ever had in the USA.
This is a great day for America.
The judicial branch never mattered to Republicans before, why should it now?
Republican party has reached a low point! Acting like fourth world countries do. Why do they even open their mouth when it comes to other countries?
@Randolph Carter: Not of Pawlenty signs the election results as he just promised. I think even Coleman will be glad to see this done- the amount of money he was expending with no hope of winning has been turning off donors.
Congrats to Mr. Franken, and I hope he will serve his post honorably.
"I'll sign the election certificate if the Supreme Court orders it." Now there's a governor looking after the best interests of his state – oh, wait, the best interest of the Party of Holier-than-thou Philanderers.
I thought Republicans liked it when courts determine the outcome of elections they didn't actually win.
Finally! Minnesota can be fairly represented in Washington. Let this be final. I beg former senator Colman to let go of this ridiculous fight. We have a fresh voice and new senator; his name is Senator Al Franken.
...and we thought Iranian elections were bad.
We knew that Franken won a long time ago, after millions of dollars wasted in frivilous litigation by Coleman.
Minnesota deserves two Senators, not a sore loser and baseless lawsuits.
....and how much did all of this nonsense cost the state of Minnasota? Let's face it, the people of that state should be furious. Coleman played politics with their money. So much for being a gracious loser.
Coleman still could attempt to take the challenge to federal courts, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, told CNN on Sunday that he would sign Franken's election certificate if the Supreme Court ordered it.
Tim Pawlenty better sign if he want to run for President in 2012.
C'mon Norm. Just admit it's over. You know this proves you lost.
Congratulation Al franken you deserve to be the senate for Minn
I would tell Coleman to pay for court cost and lawyer fee's.
It a happy day for the Demoncrate
It's about time this farce has ended. Coleman needs to just go away gracefully but as another clueless Republican he just hasn't gotten the message that it is his time to go. He is selfishness has cost the people of Minnesota their right to be represented properly in Washington for too long in these very volatile times. Congrats to Minnesota for finally ending this sad comedy.
The US Supreme Court won't touch this but it will drag on a little longer while everything's filed and such. Way to go, Al!
If the Party of NO appeals Franken's victory to a higher court after a unanimous decision of the Minnesota Supreme Court, they will become the Party of NONE.
The GOP will continue the stall tactics!
At last.
It's about time. Now, what will the Minnesota governor do? This may just eliminate another republican governor for the 2012 presidential race, based on what he does. Thinking about a little more, he’s screwed either way. You can't ask for any better situation room.
from the state that elected a wrestler govenor....Minnesota should be soooooooo proud
Yeah!
RIDICULOUS! didnt this election happen in november?
Justice!!!!
Al Franken issue is 1,000 times more important story on news than Sanford.
Media should interview Franken on National News and top his story.
Franken will now get some legislature enacted.
Finally !!